North Carolina Issues Specific Money Transmitter Exemptions for Some Bitcoin Companies

North Carolina has carved out regulatory exemptions for select bitcoin and blockchain businesses in a move industry supporters say avoids problematic provisions in place in other US states. In a substantial update to its money transmitter FAQ page, the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) has exempted digital currency miners; non-financial blockchain services; and multi-signature and non-custodial wallet providers from the state's Money Transmitters Act (MTA). Notably, the exemptions are the result of collaboration between the NCCOB and industry advocacy group the....

Following a majority vote of the North Carolina Senate, the General Assembly of the state has now approved the amendment of a statutory article – the North Carolina Money Transmitters Act. The move will see the term “virtual currency” added to the existing law. Bitcoin exchanges and other industry companies in North Carolina will now be mandated to obtain a money transmitter license following a vote by members of the North Carolina Senate. In May 2016, North Carolina state’s House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in a 117-to-1 vote, seeking the update before the recent approval from....

The North Carolina Money Transmitter Act was recently extended to cover bitcoin traders with House Bill 289, signed in July 2016 by State Governor Pat McCrory. Deemed as the ‘virtual currency law’ in the state, the bill introduces a legal framework for regulating bitcoin and blockchain technology. While the legislation had to go through an elaborate and long discussion period, including the feedback of various stakeholders, the bill is seen today as business-friendly by many. It brings legal clarity in the field of virtual currencies in North Carolina, but does not open venues for....

Bitcoin services provider Xapo has confirmed that it will no longer operate in the state of North Carolina. The company, which recently moved its headquarters to Switzerland, cited state-level regulation as the decisive factor behind its decision. Earlier today, one North Carolina customer posted a message on Reddit stating that they had received a 30-day closure notice. Speaking to CoinDesk, Wences Casares, founder of Xapo, said: "It is correct that we are not operating in North Carolina. We do not have a money transmitter license in that state and we think the effort to comply with their....

Virtual currency advocates provided input to a North Carolina legislative committee Tuesday on a proposed rule to improve regulation of digital currency and blockchain related businesses. The Chamber of Digital Commerce, a trade association that promotes digital assets and blockchain technology, joined representatives of IBM and the Perkins Coie law firm in meeting with the North Carolina Senate Finance Committee. The state House of Representatives passed the North Carolina Money Transmitter Act in May by a 117-to-1 vote after being introduced in March at the Commissioner of Banks’....